It’s all about cats…
Domestic cats favor one paw over the other, according to psychologists who did a study in Northern Ireland.
Females tend to be righties while males are lefties, based on the study at Queen’s University Belfast. There was a recent article about it in New Scientist.
But when it comes to less dexterous feats, said the psychologists, both sexes go with either hand.
The study reached its conclusions after having 42 cats get tuna from a jar too small for their heads. Twenty of the 21 females favored the right paws while 20 of 21 males favored the left.
But for something like pawing a toy mouse, either paw would do.
One of the researchers said hormone levels could explain sex differences in paw choice. Previous research has linked prenatal testosterone exposure to left-handedness.
Studies of two other domestic animals, dogs and horses, revealed similar sex biases. …
Elsewhere on the feline front, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors is studying a recommendation that the city ban declawing of cats except for medical necessity.
Reports in Bay Area media say the recommendation came from an advisory board on animal control and welfare, based on the argument that the practice is cruel and done mostly for cosmetic practices or to stop cats from clawing furniture.
The chair of the advisory panel, Sally Stephens, said the procedure involves amputating the last bone in a cat’s paw and, though doctors use anesthetic, some cats can suffer long-term pain and behavioral changes, such as refusing to use a litter box.
“So basically it’s kind of barbaric,” Stephens said.
Veterinarians have opposed the measure.
So far, only the city of West Hollywood has banned declawing.
San Francisco supervisors may vote later this year.

PET CALENDAR Cause for Paws - The Humane Society of Boulder Valley’s 20th Annual A Cause For Paws 4K Doggie Dash and 3K Walk-a-thon will be Sept. 12 at the shelter, 2323 55th Street, Boulder. The annual event kicks off at 7 a.m. and ends at noon. Entry fees for the dash and walk range from $15, for youth 12 and younger, to $35 for adults. Complete details and online registration forms are available at www.boulderhumane.org/causeforpaws

Laugh for the animals - The Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation has two events coming up First, on Aug. 4, is the Comedy Central Extravaganza at Comedy Works South at The Landmark in Greenwood Village. Tickets are $25. Also, Aug. 15 is the deadline to nominate candidates for Colorado’s Animal Heroes, CVMF’s annual awards program that celebrates the human-animal bond and provides recognition for outstanding animals and humans. Check out CVMF at http://cvmf.org/index.cfm

Fetch takes a topical look at a variety of issues affecting pets, including the latest research results.. It seeks to provide useful information for Colorado pet owners and to spotlight the work of Colorado animal welfare groups.